Bangladesh
Stakeholders urge for inclusion of a proposal in CEPA for setting up joint testing laboratory
Stakeholders from both public and private sectors have urged the commerce ministry to include a proposal for setting up joint testing laboratories and introducing one-stop service for investors in the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Bangladesh and India.
They made the call at the 3rd stakeholder consultation meeting, organized by the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) on CEPA on Sunday through a physical and zoom platform.
The meeting was solely focused on the trade in goods of the joint study, said a press release.
All the stakeholders hoped that the proposed CEPA agreement will result in removing the trade barriers and enhance higher volume of trade between the two neighbouring countries.
Addressing the meeting Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh said Bangladesh’s export growth performance in the Indian market has more potential.
He also highlighted that the country’s trade has been making a momentous contribution to the economic development of Bangladesh in terms of foreign exchange earnings, improving the balance of payments and faster creation of employment.
Md Jafar Uddin, chief executive officer (CEO) of the BFTI chaired the event and emphasized that an effective CEPA between the two countries would not only benefit both the countries in terms of enhanced employment generation and export earnings but also would help Bangladesh identify its untapped potential for export to India.
BFTI director Md. Obaidul Azam moderated the programme.
Dr Selim Raihan, lead consultant, CEPA joint feasibility study made his special remarks on the joint study at the beginning of the meeting.
Mr Mahtab Uddin, sectoral consultant of the study presented the key-note presentation at the consultation meeting.High officials from public sector and private sector, business leaders, and academicians participated in the consultation meeting as stakeholders.
Among others, A.H.M. Ahasan, vice-chairman of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Md. Hafizur Rahman, additional Secretary of ministry of commerce, Hafizur Rahman, director general of WTO Cell of the commerce ministry, Dr Md. KhairuzzamanMozumder, additional secretary, finance division, Noor Md. Mahbubul Haq, Joint Secretary, Sha Md. Abu Raihan Alberuni, member, Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, Mohammad Jahangeer Kobir, Joint Secretary and Member, Bangladesh Land Port Authority and representatives from associations and chambers attended the consultation meeting.
The Centre for Regional Trade (CRT) under the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has been nominated to conduct the joint study from the Government of India.
ACC asks a Gazipur district register to submit wealth statement
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday asked District Register of Gazipur Ohidul Islam and his wife Khujista Akhtar Banu to submit their wealth statements.
Deputy Director of ACC Public relation office Muhammad Arif Sadeq told UNB, the commission has issued a notice in this regard.
The notice sought statement of their all immovable or movable property acquired by them and their dependents.
READ: Following complaints, ACC launches drive against Jibon Bima MD
The source of income and the detailed information on how those were acquired will have to be submitted to the ACC within 21 working days of receiving the notice.
If they fail to submit the statements within the stipulated time or submit false statement, action will be taken against them as per sub-section (2) of section 26 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act.
Transport workers withdraw indefinite strike in Sunamganj
The indefinite bus strike that District Road Transport Workers’ Union enforced Sunday morning demanding an end to extortion from the bus drivers on Sylhet bypass road has been withdrawn.
Nurul Haque, general secretary of the union said the strike was withdrawn in the afternoon.
Deputy Commissioner of the district Md Jahangir Hossain and Additional Superintendent of police (Sadar) Jaynal Abedin held a meeting with the union leaders at noon where they assured the workers that they will take step to stop extortion on Sylhet bypass road.
Read: Indefinite bus strike underway in Sunamganj
The workers’ leaders then decided to withdraw the strike on condition of resolving the issue within three days.
Nurul Haque said they will resume strike if the issue is not resolved in three days.
DC Jahangir Hossain said hopefully the problem will be resolved once police are deployed in the area.
PM leaves Finland en route to New York to attend UNGA
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday left here for USA to attend the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The VVIP chartered flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the PM left Helsinki-Vantaa Airport at 4:16 pm (local time), said PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim.
Ambassador of Bangladesh in Finland (non-resident) Md Nazmul Islam saw her off her at the airport.
The flight is scheduled to land at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York at 6pm (local time).
It is her first foreign trip since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020.
She is going to join the UNGA for the 18th time as the head of government of Bangladesh and will address the UNGA general debate on September 24.
Besides, Sheikh Hasina will attend the opening session of the UNGA general debate on September 21 and other sideline events in the UN headquarters (UNHQ) on September 20-24. She will also have talks with a number of leaders during her stay in New York. The PM is expected to return home on October 1 next.
She will stay at the Hotel Lotte Palace during her stay in New York from September 19 to 25.
On September 20 (Monday), the PM will attend a closed-door meeting for a small group of HOSs/HOGs on climate change at the UNHQ at 9am, plant a tree and dedicate a bench at the UN Gardens at 11:30am in honour of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of his birth centenary, and lay a floral wreath at the Peace Memorial at the North Lawn of UNHQ at 11:50am.
Read: PM reaches Finland route to New York to attend UNGA
On Monday, Sheikh Hasina will sit in two separate bilateral meetings with EU Council President Charles Michel at 12:30pm (local time) and with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley at 2:45pm at her place of residence. Besides, she will join a virtual event of Sustainable Development Solution Network at 4:00pm.
On September 21 (Tuesday), the PM will attend the opening session of the UNGA general debate at 9:00pm, sit in a bilateral meeting with Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in the afternoon and join Business Roundtable on US-Bangladesh Business Council at 4:00pm at the place of residence.
On September 22 (Wednesday), Sheikh Hasina will virtually attend three events. The events are the high-level meeting of the UNGA to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action at 9:00am, White House Global Covid-19 Summit: Ending the Pandemic and building back better, and a high level side event on Rohingya crisis: imperatives for a sustainable solution at 3:00pm.
On September 23 (Thursday), the Bangladesh PM will attend two programmes by sending her pre-recorded statements. These are the Leaders’ Network on ‘delivering on the UN common agenda: Action to achieve equality and inclusion’ to be organised by Swedish Mission to the UN at 8:00am, and the Food Systems Summit, as part of the decade of action to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030, convened by the UNSG at 1:00pm.
Read: PM flies for Finland Friday morning on her way to UNGA
On Thursday, Sheikh Hasina will sit in four separate bilateral meetings with Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at the place of residence, UN Secretary-General António Guterres at 1:30pm, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at 2:00pm and Vietnam President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc at 2:40pm at the UNHQ.
On September 24 (Friday), the Bangladesh Prime Minister will address the UNGA 76 general debate in the morning, sit in a bilateral meeting with Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte at UNHQ, and will virtually join a community programme.
On September 25 (Saturday), Sheikh Hasina will depart New York for Washington DC by a Biman flight at 8:00am. She will stay in Washington DC from 25 to 30 September.
Hasina is scheduled to leave Washington for Dhaka on 30 September and will return home on October 1 after a short stopover in Finland.
Weeklong Rohingya artworks exhibition begins in city
A weeklong exhibition of 100 cultural objects and artworks representing key aspects of Rohingya memory, experience, and aspiration began in the city on Sunday.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Center for Peace Studies (CPS) of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) of North South University (NSU) are hosting the exhibition that will continue till September 25.
The inaugural ceremony of the exhibition was held at NSU where the collection is being displayed.
Rohingya artisans of IOM’s Rohingya Cultural Memory Centre (RCMC) prepared the cultural objects and artworks, with the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands.
The exhibiting collection -- handmade by the camp-living refugees in Cox’s Bazar -- is a part of an ongoing effort by the RCMC to help comprehensively document and preserve the heritage of the Rohingya people.
IOM Bangladesh’s Chief of Mission Giorgi Gigauri said by showcasing the beauty and complexity of the Rohingya heritage and people, the exhibition aims to empower the community and ensure the continuity of its cultural heritage for future generations.
"The RCMC offers a platform for the Rohingya people to share and build their stories with a global audience and to connect with the diaspora.”
READ: FM seeks Commonwealth solidarity for Rohingya repatriation
Rotary Club of Uttara signs MoU with Backdoor, LegalX to promote cyber security campaign
A tri-partite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Sunday among cyber security firm Backdoor Private Limited, legal service platform LegalX and Rotary Club of Uttara to create cyber awareness and ensure security primarily for the youth.
Under this MoU, the three organisations will set up a platform, called ‘Cyber Aid’ that envisages a help desk, a complaint cell and tools that promote awareness on cyber security, said a press release.
The MoU was signed at Backdoor’s office in Mohakhali DOHS, in the capital, regarding launching a help desk to help the victims of cybercrimes.
Director (Business Development) of Backdoor Private Limited, Nurfath Mahbuba Riha, CEO of LegalX Maliha Rahham and Secretary of Rotary Club of Uttara Arpita Chowdhury (Rupa) signed the MoU on behalf of the respective organisations while Tanvir Hassan Zoha, Managing Director of Backdoor, Muiz Shahab Uddin, Chairman of LegalX, Fabiha Nawar Chowdhury, COO of LegalX, M Abul Kalam Azad, CEO of Backdoor and Julhas Alam, President of Rotary Club of Uttara, were present.
Read: Rotary Club of Uttara awards Kumar Bishwajit, 21 others for their excellence
“Rotary as an international organisation works in seven areas. Doing something good for young people is one of the major concerns. Since the youth are being victimised in various ways on digital platforms, we felt Rotary should do more for the youth. Rotary Club of Uttara found Backdoor and LegalX as the right partners to work in this field,” said Julhas Alam in his statement.
Tanvir Hassan Zoha said, “Digital Bangladesh is our dream, but it will be futile if we cannot ensure digital security. For ensuring digital security, creating awareness and providing proper legal advice is crucial, which is why LegalX, and Rotary Club of Uttara can make a difference through this partnership.”
Muiz Shahab Uddin said, “LegalX is glad to be a part of this project, becoming a part of Cyber Aid, to ensure proper and quality legal support to cybercrime victims. As cybercrime is a new phenomenon, we want to ensure that justice is served.’
He also said, “We must equip the future generation with skills and a mindset for safe internet usage. I am sure this platform will be a great addition to ensure cyber security.”
Cyber Aid will be a one-stop platform with experts in the field who strives to end the stigma that surrounds cybercrimes, the organisations said.
Anti-Modi protest: 20 Chatra Odhikar Parishad men get bail
A Dhaka court on Sunday granted bail to 20 members of Chatra Odhikar Parishad who were held for violence during a protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in last March.
Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge KM Imrul Kayes passed the bail order during a virtual hearing.
The accused are- Md Younus, Najmul Hasan, Nahidul Tareque, MD Nayeen, Asaduzzaman, Azharul Islam, Sohel Mridha, Mostak Ahmed, Azim Hossain, Md Ruhul Islam Sohel, Abdullah Al Mahmud Jishan, Md Sohel Ahmed, Sheikh Khayrul Kabir, Shobuj Hossain, Golam Tanvir, Md Hemayet, Ismail Hossain, Md Rezaul Karim, Muntajul Islam and Kazi Bahauddin Monir.
Read: Eminent citizens demand unconditional release of anti-Modi student protesters
On March 25, a rally was held under the banner of Chatra Adhikar Parishad at the Motijheel Shapla Chattar to protest Modi’s visit.
When police tried to stop the activists from taking out a procession a clash between police and the protestors broke out.
Police fired teargas shells and sound grenades at the protestors while they threw stones at them.
Next day police filed a case at the Motijheel police station over the clash.
HC grants bail to Keya chairman, orders three children to surrender
The High Court on Sunday granted six-week anticipatory bail to Chairman of Keya Cosmetics Ltd Abdul Khaleque Pathan and his wife in cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission over money laundering and acquiring illegal assets.
The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and SM Mujibur Rahman also asked the couple to surrender their passports and their three children to surrender to a lower court by six weeks.
Advocate Nitai Ray Chowdhury represented the defendants before the court while Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik stood for the state.
Also read: ACC sues Keya Cosmetics Chairman, MD and three directors
On September 15, ACC filed five cases against the Keya group Chairman, his wife Nasrin, two daughters and son for acquiring assets beyond their known income and money laundering at ACC combined district office-1.
In the cases, ACC complained that the accused acquired illegal assets worth more than Tk 183.84 crore and also concealed information about wealth worth more than Tk 96.29 crore.
On September 16, the accused sought anticipatory bail from the High Court.
Dengue: 241 new patients hospitalized; No death reported
Two hundred forty-one new Dengue patients were hospitalized across country in 24 hours till Sunday morning, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease remained static at 59 as no death was reported during the period.
Among the new patients, 184 were undergoing hospital treatment in Dhaka while the remaining 57 cases were reported from outside the division, according to DGHS.
Also read: 'National laws need to be revised to tackle dengue menace'
Some 1,107 patients diagnosed with dengue are receiving treatment in the country as of Sunday morning.
Of them, 900 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital while the remaining 207 were listed outside Dhaka.
Among the deceased, 54 died in Dhaka city alone, two each in Chattogram and Khulna divisions and one in Rajshahi.
Some 15,701 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue since January.
Also read: Dengue: 2 more die, 232 new patients hospitalized
So far, 14,535 dengue patients have left hospitals after recovery, said the DGHS.
The number of dengue patients hospitalized in a single day was the highest with 343 patients on September 7.
In the month of August the country recorded the highest number of 7,698 dengue cases of the current year.
In July, 2,286 people were diagnosed with dengue and 12 died while in June 272 cases were recorded with no deaths.
HC turns down writ challenging tree felling at Suhrawardy Udyan
The High Court on Sunday rejected a writ petition against tree felling at historical Suhrawardy Udyan for installation of commercial establishments.
The virtual bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and SM Maniruzzaman turned down the petition.
Lawyer Syeda Rizwana Hasan presented the petitioners while Additional Attorney General Sheikh Mohammad Morshed stood for the state.
“This is one of the mega projects of the government and no establishment will be built there on commercial basis. The government is implementing the HC directive issued in 2009,” Said Additional Attorney General Sheikh Mohammad Morshed.
Also read: Writ petition filed against tree cutting at Suhrawardy Udyan The project is being implemented according to the report of a 6-member committee formed in this regard , the project is being implemented without harming the environment, he said.
Earlier, on September 13 the court fixed today for final hearing on the writ.
On May 9, six organisations and an individual filed the writ petition to stop tree cutting at Suhrawardy Udyan.
Also read: No tree to be felled unnecessarily at Suhrawardy Udyan: Project Director
The petitioners are - Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Association for Land Reforms and Development (ALRD), Nijera Kori, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and architect Mobassher Hossain.
The petitioners also sought issuance of a rule seeking explanation as to why cutting of ancient and historic trees at Suhrawardy Udyan on the pretext of constructing monument of independence will not be announced illegal and unconstitutional, why construction of commercial establishments going beyond the main design will not be declared illegal and why directive should not be given to evict the already constructed establishments.
Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor , Secretaries to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, Chief Forest Conservator, RAJUK chairman ,Director General of Environment Department and Chief engineer of Department of Public Works were made respondents to the rule.